Sustainability

DeKalb County's Department of Planning and Sustainability is charged with the responsibility of creating, implementing, and tracking a set of ambitious goals and strategies to reduce DeKalb County’s environmental impact on the County's facilities and operations, and to balance economic and social concerns in the process.

The Arbor Day Foundation named DeKalb County a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.

Read the press release here: DeKalb County Earns 2025 Tree City USA Recognition from Arbor Day Foundation | DeKalb County GA

DeKalb County is a Gold Level Certified Green Community under the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Green Communities Program, demonstrating the county’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership in sustainability practices. 

How can I reduce my energy bill?

• Clean Energy DeKalb 
  • Demystify your Energy Bill & Discover Ways to Lower It
• Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs in Georgia
• Georgia Bright
  • Solar for All funds Georgia Bright

How do I recycle?

• DeKalb County Sanitation
  • Why & How to Recycle
• CHaRM DeKalb

Do I need a permit to remove trees on my property?

• For residents
  • 2023 DeKalb County Homeowner Guide for Tree Removal

• For developers

  • Tree removal requests are considered through the permitting process.
  • Knowledge Quest